Game camera

• US 20020159770A1
• Filed: 04/30/2001
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ferrell C. Moultrie Jr
• Original Assignee: Ferrell C. Moultrie Jr
• Inventors: Moultrie, Ferrell C. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US09/845,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20020159770A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 396/265
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/00 Details of cameras or camera bodies; Accessories therefor lens hoods or caps G03B11/04

Abstract

A surveillance camera for wild game animals includes a camera having automatic flash, focus, aperture and shutter speed and film advance functions. The camera is mounted within a housing adapted for outdoor installation and protection from adverse weather conditions. An electronic control circuit mounted within the housing is operably connected to the camera and includes a programmable microprocessor providing an interval set function for timing between taking photographs. The camera is activated by a passive infrared sensor detecting body heat of the animal or group of animals to be photographed. Day/night enable and aiming light functions are provided. The electronic control circuit is designed for extremely low voltage requirements.

Claims

1. A surveillance camera comprising:

a) a camera having automatic flash, focus, aperture and shutter speed and film advance functions;

b) a housing for said camera adapted for outdoor installation and protection from adverse weather conditions including intense sun, cold and precipitation;

c) an electronic camera control circuit mounted within said housing and connected to said camera, said control circuit including a programmable microprocessor.

2. The surveillance camera set forth in claim 1 wherein said programmable microprocessor has an interval set function to control the interval between automatically taking photographs.

3. The surveillance camera set forth in claim 2 wherein said interval varies between fifteen seconds and thirty minutes.

4. The surveillance camera set forth in claim 1 wherein said camera includes a day/night enable function.

5. The surveillance camera set forth in claim 1 wherein said camera includes a camera aiming light.

6. A surveillance camera comprising:

a) a camera having automatic flash, auto focus, and automatic film advance functions;

b) said camera mounted within a weather protective housing for outdoor use situated along an area frequented by game animals;

c) an electronic control circuit mounted within said housing and connected to said camera, said control circuit being powered by a battery located within said housing and providing the following functions;

i) a camera aiming light;

ii) a photograph interval variable control;

iii) a day/night enable function; and

iv) a passive infrared monitoring function to discern the presence of a game animal;

d) said control circuit including a microprocessor controlling said circuit to use extremely low battery power during a sleep mode, and then waking said circuit upon a change in condition in any of said functions.

7. The surveillance camera set forth in claim 6 wherein said photograph interval variable control includes a potentiometer variable between approximately 15 seconds and approximately 30 minutes delay.

8. The surveillance camera set forth in claim 6 wherein said flash enable/disable function permits setting said camera for daylight or nighttime use.

9. The surveillance camera set forth in claim 6 wherein when said camera aiming light function is set “

on”

, a light beam is projected from said surveillance camera when said passive infrared monitoring function detects the presence of an infrared-emitting object within its field of view.

10. The surveillance camera set forth in claim 6 wherein said electronic control circuit controlling said passive infrared monitoring function includes an infrared sensor and a blind sensor and a differential circuit connecting said sensors to said microprocessor whereby an infrared signal of a threshold intensity must be sensed to trigger a take photograph signal.